Student Spotlight: Jess Lies

Architecture has been a big part of Jess Lies’ life ever since she was a little girl.

“My parents own an interior design firm,” she said. “I remember several family dinners
when napkins became the vellum for the latest project sketches.”

Lies decided to attend College of DuPage because of its great transfer reputation
with renowned architecture programs at four-year schools. This allowed her to finish
the first two years of her degree with little to no debt.

“COD offers knowledgeable professors, direct contact with professionals and four-year
school representatives, and a family environment where you get to know your professors
and your classmates on a personal level,” she said. “Also, due to the economic feasibility
of COD’s courses, I was able to in take advantage of a study abroad opportunity in
Italy with my architecture teachers, seeing the architectural wonders I had learned
about in class.”

Lies transferred to Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where she is following
a five-year program (between a bachelor’s and a 4+2 bachelor’s and master’s program)
to earn her professional degree in architecture. This will allow her to earn her license
in Architecture after completing the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) and interning.

“I must continue to push myself every day to graduate in five years. However, I am
excited at the prospect of graduation in the spring of 2016. At this point, I am more
than halfway through my degree and only four semesters stand between me and my lifelong
dream of becoming an architect.”

Her dream is to pursue her passion of architecture around the world where she can
experience, live and work in many different cultures.

She credits College of DuPage’s Architecture program and faculty for helping her meet
her goals by providing the knowledge and skills required to continue her education
and begin her career. She also received the help to build and develop an artistic
portfolio, which is required to enter Architecture programs at many transfer schools.

“COD offers an amazing opportunity for high school students who are either unsure
about what degree they want to pursue or for students who are interested in architecture
and wish to build up a portfolio so they can then transfer,” she said. “I would suggest
knowing your transfer options so you can follow the specific transfer curriculum from
the time you start at COD.

“Being in the position and level I am today, I could not be any more happy with my
decision to study for two years at COD. I escaped several years of heavy financial
burden as well as obtained education awards and certificates which then helped me
obtain automatic scholarships upon entering IIT.

“Due to the hard work and concentration on my studies, I became part of the Alpha
Beta Gamma honors society which automatically entitled me to a nice scholarship from
IIT. My GPA at COD also helped me. At IIT, additional scholarship is awarded with
a direct relationship to one’s transfer GPA; therefore, the higher your GPA, the more
scholarship money is awarded upon acceptance. I am thankful that because of my studies
and hard work at COD, more than half of my school tuition is now paid by IIT.”

College of DuPage Addison Center

College of DuPage Addison Center is located in the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) on the east side of Swift Road, north of North Avenue and south of Army Trail Road. Swift Road is approximately 3/4 mile west of Route 53 or I-355.

College of DuPage Lisle location

The Lisle location is home to the College of DuPage Foundation, Center of Entrepreneurship and WorkNet Force. College of DuPage Lisle is located in the One Corporate Lakes building at the corner of Forbes and Cabot drives, just north of Warrenville Road.

College of DuPage Naperville Center

College of DuPage Naperville Center is located on the south side of Rickert Drive. Rickert Drive is accessed by turning north from 75th Street two miles west of Washington Street. From Route 59, travel east on 75th Street to Rickert Drive and turn north.

College of DuPage Westmont Center

College of DuPage Westmont Center is located on the west side of Pasquinelli Drive. Pasquinelli Drive is accessed by turning north from Ogden Avenue one block west of Route 83. The center entrance is immediately north of the bank.